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December 31, 2004

Merry, Merry

Posted by nerdling | December 31, 2004 10:58 AM

I've been a bad girl.

I know it. I haven't been updating like I should, and as a result no one is even reading this right now. This is a busy time of year at work, and my job is sucking up all of my time. I could make up lots of excuses for my lack of attention, but I won't. I've been bad, and I take the responsibility.

But! To make up for it, I've compiled not one, not two, not three, but four lists for whatever brave souls are still frequenting my increasingly lame establishment.

Top Ten Albums of 2004
(In no particular order, except perhaps some unconscious favoritism.)

01. Ted Leo & Rx — Shake the Sheets
Okay, so this is number one for a reason. If you've heard it, you know why. If you haven't heard it, this is the album I wouldn't want you to miss.
02. AC Newman — The Slow Wonder
Damned if he doesn't write great pop songs. Vaguely reminiscent of the '70s (in a good way), the whole album is enjoyable, and I found it to be an excellent companion on my drive to work.
03. The Weight — Ten Mile Grace
If you don't like Mike Ness' voice, you probably won't like this one. But if you like beautifully arranged country music—hooray for steel guitar—this is a lovely little album that I found myself reaching for over and over this year.
04. Maritime — Glass Floor
I completely recognize the fact that many people—perhaps even most people—won't like this album. It is almost irritatingly cheerful, replacing whatever jagged edges were prominent in The Promise Ring and Dismemberment Plan with shiny, sunny pop hooks and vocal melodies. Personally, I love it but I won't blame anyone who doesn't.
05. The Drive-By Truckers — The Dirty South
Decoration Day was one of my favorite albums of last year, and while I'm not going to say that this is better or worse than it's predecessor, I will say that Cooley stepped up his songwriting quite a bit, and that this is the album that proves Jason Isbell is going to be a strong, dynamic talent. His songs only get better with each album, and they improve upon repeated listens. Sirens of the Ditch is certainly going to be an album to watch for next year.
06. Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers — Americano!
While the comparisons to Jimmy Buffett are probably fairly apt, Roger Clyne can do very little wrong, and there is very little wrong with this album. Both fun and touching, it's a nice album to listen to while drinking on the porch during the summer.
07. Arcade Fire — Funeral
I haven't had much time with this album, as it was a Christmas gift, but from the moment I hit play it sucked me in. Catchy, rocking, moody and interesting, it's unique and ultimately just a really awesome album, much the same way that Beulah's When Your Heartstrings Break is a great album. The string arrangements don't hurt, either.
08. Battles — EP C
Though they are still overwhelmingly good on record, nothing touches the Battles live experience. This is the album I chose because "Hi/Lo" is the song that stuck in my head for days after I saw them live, and it's the song that still makes me think "Holy shit!" whenever I hear it.
09. Loretta Lynn — Van Lear Rose
You can't fade Loretta Lynn, and this album is great from beginning to end. Jack White did an excellent job producing her, and overall it just proves that real country isn't dead, after all.
10. Jay Farrar — Stone, Steel & Bright Lights
First off, this is probably the most well-produced live album I've ever heard. The quality is flawless, and the songs are beautiful and just a little bit haunting. It's as though Jay knew Wilco was taking a nosedive and decided to prove that he was the one with all the talent, after all.

Honorable Mention:
• Morrissey — You Are the Quarry
A little more rock 'n' roll than the Moz I'm used to, this is a highly enjoyable album.
• Interpol — Antics
It's growing on me.
• Brian Wilson — Smile
It's no Pet Sounds, but still a great album.
• Sloan — Action Pact
They just write such good pop songs, you can't help but like them. Backstabbin', yeah, backstabbin'!

Top Five Songs of 2004
(Okay, so there are actually six songs, but I just couldn't go any lower than that.)

01. The Killers — "Mr Brightside"
Every time I hear this, I want to boogie.
02. Franz Ferdinand — "Take Me Out"
Love that time change. Duh-duh-duh.
03. Elefant — "Misfit"
Every time I hear this, I do boogie.
04. Moz — "Irish Blood, English Heart"
Strangely motivational, this is one of my favorite songs to listen to while working out.
05. AC Newman — "Miracle Drug"
I listened to this one song so much, my boyfriend won't listen to it anymore. Great pop song from beginning to end.
06. Ted Leo & Rx — "Me & Mia"
I would be hard-pressed to find another working songwriter who is so consistently awesome. His songs are always thoughtful, charming, witty and sharp—not to mention catchy as hell.

Five Best Shows of 2004
(Recommended viewing, for future reference.)

01. Robbie Fulks — McCabe's Guitar Shop, Santa Monica
02. Old 97s — Amoeba Music in-store, Hollywood
03. The Drive-By Truckers — The Troubadour, West Hollywood
04. Ted Leo & Rx with Lucero, The El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles
05. Battles — Spaceland, Echo Park

And finally...
The Biggest Musical Disappointments of 2004
(Not as long as the other lists, but certainly as important.)

01. Old 97s — Drag It Up
First off, I love the Old 97s. I can't speak too highly of them, with the exception of this album. I know they're getting on, having babies and families and other responsibilities, but this album was a sad, milquetoast version of what used to be a kick-ass country band. They were absolutely one of the best live performances I've ever seen, though, and even the bad songs on this album sounded great when they performed them live. Unfortunately, they didn't use those live recordings on the album.
02. Communique — Poison Arrows
So. I loved American Steel. I was sad when they broke up, but really pleased when I heard that they were forming a new band. I was also pleased with the first EP they released. I even went to see them live, and they put on a great show. The new songs they played were great—noisy, catchy, sexy—channeling Roxy Music with a little bit more swagger. I didn't even mind the tight pants and expensive hair. But this? This is dreadful. It hurt me to listen to it because I wanted to like it. I really wanted to like it. But all the fun had been sucked out, and it reminded me of the sort of bland, boring, James Chance rip-offs the Yeah Yeah Yeahs play. Hopefully the next one will be better.
03. Centro-matic live, opening for the Drive-By Truckers at the Troubadour
One of the least interesting, uninspiring, sad performances I've seen. Will Johnson didn't even look at the crowd or smile until the last song, as though he was only pleased because he'd be off the stage soon. The songs sounded good, but they lacked the same punch they have on record because the band's mopey, self-important posing took away from the loveliness of the music. This is an experience I won't be repeating.
04. The new version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?"
Justin Hawkins is, as always, awesome, but what the fuck were they thinking? The original wasn't exactly the best song ever written, but each successive remake has become more and more ridiculous, to the point where I actually laughed at this one. Please, if anyone is listening, don't ever do this again.
05. U2 — How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Old, bloated and sad. Guys, please quit while you're ahead. Pull a Rolling Stones and just tour for the rest of your natural born lives. But please, please don't release another album if it's going to be like this one. And, for the record, "Uno, dos, tres, catorce" means "One, two, three, fourteen." Next time, hire a translator, or at least buy a reliable dictionary.